Just hours after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass asserted that the California National Guard would not be deployed to address the Los Angeles riots, the initial National Guard units began to arrive in the city.
On Friday evening, President Donald Trump declared that he would assume control of the California National Guard following the inability of state and city leaders to halt two days of persistent assaults on federal immigration agents.
“In light of these incidents and credible threats of ongoing violence, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard under 10 U.S.C. 12406 to temporarily protect ICE and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions,” Trump stated in a press release on Saturday. “This includes the enforcement of Federal law, and the protection of Federal property, at locations where protests against these functions are occurring or are likely to occur based on current threat assessments and planned operations.”
The National Guard units activated into federal service will remain for a minimum of 60 days, “or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense,” the president noted.
“Additionally, the Secretary of Defense may utilize any other members of the regular Armed Forces as necessary to enhance and support the protection of Federal functions and property in any number deemed appropriate at his discretion.”
As of Friday night, National Guard units had not yet arrived in Los Angeles, when officers from the Los Angeles Police Department instructed rioters to disperse well over 24 hours after disturbances began. In a perplexing statement, the department commended residents, “community leaders,” and others for a day of “peaceful protests” that “concluded without incident.”
This unusual statement was issued after mobs of rioters hurled rocks at federal agents in the community of Paramount, leading to numerous injuries and several near-fatal incidents.
In spite of the president’s orders, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated on Sunday morning that National Guard units were not being deployed to the city.
“I would like to express my gratitude to LAPD and local law enforcement for their efforts last night. I also wish to thank [Gavin Newsom] for his assistance,” the mayor stated. “To clarify, the National Guard has not been deployed in the City of Los Angeles.”
However, the National Guard did start to arrive in Los Angeles almost immediately following the mayor’s statement. Numerous armored vehicles and National Guardsmen in riot gear were observed staging on Alameda Street in preparation for another scheduled demonstration later today.
“We have already witnessed a significant and increasing National Guard presence here in downtown LA,” ABC 7 Los Angeles reported on Sunday morning.
ICE operations conducted in Los Angeles over the weekend have led to the apprehension of 118 undocumented immigrants, which includes five gang affiliates and individuals with previous criminal records related to drug trafficking, assault, child cruelty, domestic violence, robbery, and alien smuggling, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Across the nation, over 2,000 undocumented individuals have been arrested during the same weekend.
Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, stated that immigration enforcement activities will persist without interruption, notwithstanding violent actions from far-left extremists.
“Federal law enforcement operations are advancing as scheduled this weekend in Los Angeles County. I encourage the public to avoid interfering with these lawful operations,” he remarked. “Any individual who obstructs federal agents will be subject to arrest and prosecution.”]}
